THE ASSOCIATE
A film review by Renee Chow
Copyright 1997 Flying Inkpot
Directed by: Donald Petrie Written by: Jenaro Prieto (novel El Socio) Nick Thiel Cast: Whoopi Goldberg (Laurel Ayres), Dianne Wiest ( Sally Doogan), Eli Wallach (Fallon), Timothy Daly (Frank), Bebe Neuwirth (Camille Austin Pendleton) Produced by: Buena Vista Pictures / Hollywood Pictures / Interscope Communications / PolyGram Rating : *** Run Time: 113 Minutes
WHOOPIN' SEXISM
For a movie that aims to dispel the prejudicial stereotypes of sexism, THE ASSOCIATE may succeed in some aspects, but it ends up falling into a patterned plot and perpetuating other forms of sexism.
What is the role of a woman in the ruthlessly competitive and testorone-tilted world of Wall Street? She could be a secretary and get called "sweetie," or she could do all the work and let her male partner take all the credit. After all, if business deals are to be closed in strip bars, a woman can hardly expect any respect. Perhaps she should get breast enlargements. At the very least, she would then be able to get some attention, proceeding then to sleep her way to the top. Through it all, she must never show her temper, for it would surely be interpreted as pre-menstrual syndrome. Such a starkly stereotupical but realistic portrait of corporate culture is portrayed in THE ASSOCIATE.
It seems as if the only way a woman can break down the barriers errected by the Wall Street Boys' Club is to become a man, which is precisely what Whoopi Goldberg's character, Laurel Ayres, does. As a financial analyst who fails to get the recognition she deservesbecause of her gender and race, she creates and subsequently dons the persona of the fictitious Robert Cutty. Using her intelligence and business savvy behind the persona of this imaginary White, Caucasian male,she achives exceptional success. her partner in crime is fellow secretary Sally, played engagingly by two-time Academy Award winning Dianne Wiest. However, hilarious fixes arise when Cutty's fabricated persona becomes the target of the insatiable media, makes deals with Laurel's devious competitor (portrayed with wicked gleefulness by Tim Daly), gets subpoenaed for fraud, and even "fathers" a child.
Whoopi Goldberg's androgynous appeal, comic talent and intelligence lend realism and humour to the character of Laurel. As an African-American woman overcoming discrimination and beating the odds, we champion her cause and what she represents. However, Goldberg's portrayal fails to illicit sympathy and audience-identification. As with THE COLOR PURPLE, her steely edge and street-smarts make her unbelievable as a marginalized and exploited figure.
Furthermore, even as it continues to be a ver real and pressing issue today, the storline of Black Woman versus White Man seems cliched when dealth with in comedy, especially since the possibility was raised back in the sixties of God being a Black Woman. In addition, the disguise strategy recalls films like MRS DOUBTFIRE and THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, and makes the plot's unfolding highly predictable.
Finally, even as the movie shatters female stereotypes, it perpetuates male ones. The mend o not develop beyond being cariacatures of the manipulative businessman, the fumbling nerd genius and the sensitive new-age man. As such there is an imbalance in the treatment of issues of prejudice. Directed by Donald Petrie, known for such hit comedies as MYSTIC PIZZA and GRUMPY OLD MEN, THE ASSOCIATE merely retells, albeit with the slightest dash of humour, a well-known tale of sexism in today's society.
The Flying Inkpot Rating System: * Wait for the TV2 broadcast. ** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha! *** Pretty good, bring a friend. **** Amazing, potent stuff. ***** Perfection. See it twice.
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